Combination hand traffic signal and trouble lamp



May 25 1926. 1,586,001

1 G. A. MILLER COMBINATION HAND TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND TROUBLE LAMP Filed Feb. 6, 192 s Patented May 25, 1926.

GEORGE A. MILLER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION HAND TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND TROUBLE LAMP.

Application filed February 6, 1925. Serial No. 7,310.

This invention relates to hand traflic signals and trouble lamps and more particularly to a combination hand trafiic signal and trouble lamp finding its particular utility in connection with an automobile.

An object of this invention is to provide a combination hand traiiic signaling and trouble lamp which may be carriedon the back of the hand without interfering with the driving of the automobile and which is readily manipulated by the movement of the arm and hand outwardly when giving a signal to cause the lamp to light as desired.

A further object is to incorporate in a hand'traliic signal of this description a permanent switch for maintaining a constant illumination when it is desired to use the lamp as a trouble lamp, the most practical source of energy for lighting the lamp being an electric socket on the instrument board of the automobile.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of an automobile and a driver seated therein with the combination traffic signal and trouble lamp on his hand extended as a signal.

Figure 2 is a front view of the combination hand traffic signal and trouble lamp showing it in place upon the left hand of a user.

Figure 3 is a side View of the combination hand traffic signal and trouble lamp taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Figure 2.

Figure f is a horizontal sectional View of the interior of the combination hand traffic signal and trouble lamp taken on the line H of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the device taken on the line 55 of Figure 4:.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the device taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

The details of construction and operation of my invention are as follows: A lamp casing 1 substantially rectangular in shape and formed with a tapering elongation 2 provides a support for a reflector 3 which is mounted integral with the casing and is provided with an electric light socket 4; in which an electric light 5 is placed. The refiector is threaded at the outer end to receive a'rim 6 carrying a lens 7. The bottom 8 of the casing 1 is removable for purposes hereinafter described and is normally held. in place by screws 9 extending through the ends of the casing 1 and screwing into threads formed on vertical extensions 10 formed on the bottom 8 and adapted to fit snugly within the casing 1.

Upon the rectangular portion of the bot tom 8 is mounted a flat member 12 made of sheet metal or other suitable material being formed with two parallel faces slightly sep-- arated, between which a strap 13 is clamped. The strap may be of any pliable material, preferably rubber, as rubber more readily adjusts itself to different size hands and will conform to the shape of the palm when the driver is grasping the steering wheel.

Upon the bottom 8 interiorly of the case 1 is a double sheet of fibre or other insulating material 37, the sheets being slightly separated by spacers 38 in order to accommodatethe heads of the binding posts hereinafter described. Upon this insulating material is a pair of spring contact points 14 and 15, the contiguous edges being slightly separated. They are fastened securely to the base 8 by standard binding posts 16 and 17 and provide a contact seat for the electric lamp-5. A plug 18' suitable for attachment to an electric circuit such as illustrated by the socket 19 on the instrument board 20 of an automobile is provided with an.exten sion cord 22 comprising wires 23 and 24; which are carried through the casing 1 to the interior. ire 23 terminates at a binding post 25 and a spring contact 26 is also secured to the binding post 25 and extends substantially parallel to one of the tapered sides of the casing ending near the end 2. A stiff wire 27 rigidly secured to the binding post 17 is normally separated from the spring contact 26. A push button 28 operating through an opening in the bottom 8 of the casing 1 having its upper face adjacent the spring contact 26 may be pressed inwardly, thereby causing a contact to be formed between the spring contact 26 and stiff wire 27 thus completing a circuit from the electric energy source through the electric light. Obviously when the pressure upon the push button 28 is released the spring contact 26 will force itself away from the stiff wire 27 and a flange 29 on the push button retains the push button within the casing 1.

A permanent type of switch for use when a constant illumination is desired consists of an ordinary type of ball and clamp contact mounted on one side of the casing 1. Movement of the slide 32 to depress the ball 33 is intended to press an arm 34 against the binding post 17 and a wire leading from one end of the arm 34 to the binding post 25 completes the circuit.

The use of the device is as follows: An automobile driver slips his hand, preferably the left hand, through the loop formed by the strap 13 so that the tapering end of the casing 1 extends in the direction of the fingers of the hand and so that the lens 7 faces away from the back of the hand. The plug 18 on the flexible cord 22 is inserted in the socket 19 or wherever there may be a suitable source of electric energy. When the driver desires to signal to any one to his rear he may throw his arm outward in the proper position to indicate. his intention and at the same time by straightening one or the other of the inside fingers the back of the finger will press the push button 28 inwardly thereby forming a contact between the spring contact 26 and the stiff wire 27 which completes the circuit through wire 23, spring contact 26, stiff wire 27, spring contact 15, electric light 5, spring contact 1st and wire 24.

The combination hand traific signal and touble lamp may be flashed on and oi as desired merely by the application of pressure from the fingers upon the push button 28. When it is desired to use the light for heat ing trouble, or in reading street signs or the like, the slide 32 may be actuated to press the ball 33 bringing the arm 34 in contact with binding post 17 and completin the electric circuit for causing the light to burn.

Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A hand signal and trouble light comprising in combination a box like lamp casing, insulating material secured to the bottom of the casing, a binding post secured thereto and having connection to a source of power, a spring contact connected to the binding post, a stiff wire overlapping the end of the spring contact, a push button underneath the spring wire adapted to press same into cont-act with the stiff wire, a pair of spring contact points separated one from the other, one of said contact points being connected. to the binding post securing the stiff wire, the other contact point having a connection to a source of power, and a lamp having a plug with two terminals adapted to enga e the spring contact points.

2. A hand signal and trouble light as claimed in claim 1, having in addition a shiftable holding switch adapted to engage the binding post securing the stiff wire and one of the spring contact points and a circuit established by said switch independent of the push button, to give constant light.

3. A hand signal and trouble light as claimed in claim 1, having in addition an arm secured to the side of the casing with insulation therebetween, an electric lead from said arm to the first mentioned bind ing post, a ball operatively connected to the arm and a movable slide mounted on the outside of the casing adapted to press the ball and force the arm into contact with the binding post connecting the stiff wire and one of the spring contact points.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE A. MILLER. 

